#1. Soap journalists differ in one way from journalists who cover primetime TV: they're friends with actors and therefore biased. The second I saw Nelson Branco's name among them, I stopped reading. Nelson is so biased I wouldn't trust an obituary written by him, let alone anything else. I didn't look at his predictions for Lead Actress, but even so, I know he chose Crystal Chappell as a winner. Need I say more?

#2. I agree a lot of people are discarting SH simply because she was on only 17(!) episodes last year, whereas all other nominees were on their respective soaps throughout the year. But, let's not forget one thing: all it takes is just one episode. So, if SH could get nominated over all other prenominees with just that one episode, then who says she can't win it all?

#3. I don't believe in "paying dues". If Emmys did that, Victoria Wyndham and Deidre Hall would be Emmy winners, Lexi Ainsworth would've been nominated to make up for last year and Susan Lucci would not have won on her 19th, but 4th or 5th nomination. So, whoever wins, be it SH or CK, it will be because they had the best tape.

The the last part of #3 is true than how in the ding dong hell do you explain Vanessa Marcil's win in Supporting Actress a few years back...she by far had the WORST tape.